Collections

A few of our more noteworthy collections include...

Orchids

Currently our most important collection is our orchid collection. Since 1997 we have been working with Brendan Sayers of the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Ireland to collect, grow and study the orchids of Belize. So far, this collaboration has resulted in 20 orchids species added to the known orchid flora of Belize, including 1 newly described species to science.

We also maintain a list of Belizean orchid photos.

Palms

Belize is home to around 40 native palm species. One, Shippia concolor, is listed as endemic (that means it is found naturally only in Belize). Our palm collection contains nearly all the plams of Belize as well as 50 palm species from around the world.

Included in our palm collection are 2 Cuban palm species which are threatened with extinction. By maintaining these palms Belize Botanic Gardens and other gardens with these palm species are able to offer 'insurance' that these species can continue. If anything happened to wipe out these palms in Cuba, such as a hurricane or disease, we would be able to send seeds or seedlings. This is one example of how botanic gardens can work together to conserve threatened flora.

Tropical Fruits

You like tropical fruits? Well, step right up because we got 'em. Lychee, Rambutan, Mangosteen, Breadfruit, Jackfruit, Mango, Avocado, Starfruit, Jaboticaba, Mammy Apple, Malley Apple, Black sapote, Sweetsop, Soursop, Java Apple, Govenor's Plum...

... and so much more...

Online Plant Database

We are working on putting our collection records online and integrating our plant records with the Global Biodiversity Information Facility. In our efforts we hope to release any software we create back to the public for free in order to help other botanic gardens digitize and publish their botanic records.

This is a large and time consuming projects so please check back in the future for information on our progress.